An orthotic insert device has a first portion generally underlying the plantar surface of the heel fat pad of the calcaneus of a wearer's foot when the insert is placed in a corresponding shoe. The device has a second portion which is located and sized to generally underlie the mid-foot of the wearer. The first portion under the heel is less rigid, that is, more compressible, than the second portion underlying the mid-foot. As a result, the device not only decreases the force felt on the heel, but also acts to offload the force from the heel toward the mid-foot, especially during the impact phase of a person's gait. By off-loading the heel and transferring weight to the mid-foot, force otherwise felt in the region of the calcaneus is dissipated over a much larger surface area, including the mid-foot.